October
1944
October
1944
1st October
Went to mass in the local church, the choir consisted of twenty German prisoners of war. The singing was good - perfect German unison. Relaxed for the rest of the day then to stretcher bed, in the marquee.
2nd October
Wound inspected by the MO then dressed by to RAMC orderlies. The orderlies belonged to a Welsh unit. I had met them at Outdale Road when they were stationed at Prestwick and were having a cup of tea from Aunt Helen.
3rd October
On sick parade this morning. Complained to the MO about severe head pains. Checked my head and found a piece of the bullet casing coming out of the scalp. I expected to be fit for duty anytime. I'm not in a hurry. If only I had some mail from home.
4th October
On sick parade in the forenoon. The MO pronounced me fit for duty. All wounded have to be on the move as the hospital has been condemned owing to muddy conditions. Left for 42 RHU in the village of Babae in the afternoon and bedded down in a barn for the night.
5th October
Received instructions to report to 30 RHU. Nobody wanted to know me so I returned to 42 RHU, got a meal, borrowed a couple of blankets and went back to the barn feeling browned off.
6th October
On parade at 1430 for about two hours to pick-up transport to take a number of us to 43 RHU about 14 miles from Amiens. Billeted in a school which was nice and comfy - even to the extent of having a Sergeants mess.
7th October
IC of in-lying picket. Consisted of the day's duties; could stay here for the duration if my mail caught up with me. Met McFarlane, ex Company Corporal, who has a nice cushy number as a clerk in this unit.
8th October
Went to mass in the local church hall as the church was unsafe due to war damage. Escort to a Sergeant awaiting a court martial. Football in the evening.
9th October
Still at 43 RHU. Received orders to be prepared to take re-enforcements up to the front for various units. No duties today, just relaxing.
10th October
Returned to 42 RHU in the forenoon. Supposed to be on the move again in the afternoon. The NAAFI van turned-up; managed to get sweets and cigarettes. Night time found me back in the barn with my blankets.
11th October
Received instructions to be ready to move tomorrow. Taking with me 24 nineteen year old other ranks as re-enforcements for the 15th Scottish Division. Prepared my kit and had an early night in the barn.
12th October
Marched to the station in charge if the re-enforcements. Each issued with 4 twenty four hour ration packs and two blankets. We arrived to find our horse boxes ready but no engine. Reached the station at 1330, engine arrived, from Amiens, at 1900 to find someone had pinched the tail light. We managed to get on the move by 1930. Bitterly cold in the horse boxes, everyone huddled together to try and keep warm.
13th October
Arrived at Lille, frozen stiff, at 0700. Stayed in the marshalling yard for three hours, then on our way to No. 1 Company RHU in Deurne. Arrived at 2100 after a long and miserable journey. Handed over the replacements minus their two blankets (seemingly they got lost - I expect they were flogged) - Its not my worry.
14th October
Lovely town, untouched by war. Went for a stroll down the street and managed to buy a pair of silk stockings for Nancy - hope they arrive in Prestwick alright. Met Corporal McPherson, used to be with "A" Company when we were in Otley. He now has a cushy number here in charge of the Army Post Office.
15th October
Attended a sung mass in the local church at 0900. Had a cup of what they call coffee, in a cafe. Returned to camp to find instructions waiting for me to report to No. 2 holding camp.
16th October
No. 2 holding camp occupies an old building. Had difficulty in finding a dry place for my blankets and kit. Went to the local picture house in the evening with a CQMS. Not very interesting; a French picture and a UK oldie.
17th October
On the move, early forenoon, by TCVs arriving at 33 RHU, on the outskirts of Leapoldburg, at 1430. Billeted in German barracks, good sleeping quarters, well organised with plenty to eat. Relaxed for the remainder of the day.
18th October
PT in the forenoon consisted of the days training. Weather is now very cold with plenty of rain. Went into the town, bought a pair of clogs and posted them to Prestwick. Finished the day by going to ENSA show at night.
19th October
Departed RHU in the afternoon by TCV arriving at Corp reception area at 1400. RASC on the move. Cadged a lift and stayed in their area on the outskirts of Helmond for the night.
20th October
Made enquiries and found that "B" echelon of the Gordons was only 500 yards from the RASC camp. After a meal paraded re-enforcements for the Gordons, marched them to the echelon and handed them over to the officer in charge. Stayed there for the night. The CQMS could only spare one blanket - spent a cold night.
21st October
Waited all day for the instructions to join "D" Company. Decided to visit Helmond with the PT Sergeant. Just arrived when a patrol turned-up with instructions for me to return to the echelon. A truck was laid on for me to go to the forward positions. Arrived at "A" echelon at 2300, the driver managed to get lost in the darkness.
22nd October
Arrived at a monastery after midnight and slept in a corridor until daylight. Had breakfast with brown habit monks in total silence. The breakfast consisted of, coffee, brown bread and butter. left by Bren Gun Carrier to join "D" Company lying north of Best. The Battalion had hardly moved since I left them (a bit of a stalemate owing to the weather conditions). Except for mortar fire, from a wooded area to our front, nothing much doing. Now using anti-aircraft Bofors Guns for direct fire. sing tracer shells to pin point mortar positions. Replacements becoming scarce owing to shortage of manpower. Using anti-aircraft personnel and the RAF Regiment to train as front line troops.
23rd October
Spent the day with my replacement officer and getting to know the new faces. Seemingly our efforts at the Best operation left a lot to be desired. "D" Company lost 40 men. The attack did not go according to plan mainly due to the unexpected opposition and not having sufficient support weapons to counteract heavy mortar and machine gun fire. In charge of bath parade. Mobile baths have arrived at Battalion HQ. Passed a prisoner of war camp with over 1000 prisoners looking miserable.
24th October
In charge of a night patrol. On a compass bearing to contact a patrol of HLI at 0230. The HLI were covering the gap between the two Battalions. It was very dark, however we eventually found them in a ditch having a blether, an enemy patrol could have wiped them out. Returned to our lines and reported to the CC that the enemy seem to be moving out. On the march in the afternoon without contacting the enemy. Slept out in the open wrapped in a blanket.
25th October
Spent the day on the move looking for any of the enemy who are trying to fight a rear gun action. Enemy reported to be leaving Tilberg. The Platoon spent the night in a barn.
26th October
On the march in the forenoon. After about ten miles we took-up a defensive position in a village on the outskirts of Tilburg. We expected to meet a certain amount of trouble if the enemy leave a rear guard unit.
27th October
We put in an attack on Tilburg at first light. In charge of the leading section of the Platoon mounted on Kangaroos (tanks with turrets removed). Met no resistance, the enemy had moved out. The residents packed the streets bringing the advancing column to a halt. It was nearly dark before we were able to take-up the usual defensive positions. Invited to a supper by a married couple, it was nice to be able to sit down to a meal. Five weeks since I've had a letter from home.
28th October
The Division was promised a rest period once Tilburg was relieved but it didn't work out that way. The enemy broke through the American lines causing a bit of a panic. Seemingly since the start of the cold and wet weather the Yanks have been jeeping from their forward positions after dark to sleep in farm houses and barns, returning to their positions before dawn.
German patrols soon found out and laid land mines which blew up the jeeps. They then put in a heavy counter attack which had the Americans on the run in a panic. Our Brigade was ordered to force march across country to stabilise the position. The Argylls led the counter attack, got caught in heavy mortar fire in open marshy ground. They took heavy casualties but drove the enemy out of the area. The Gordons were not involved.
29th October
The Germans must have advanced in some areas as there are a number of refugees retreating west. On the move, in single file, looking for enemy resistance. Leading a section and nearing a cross road almost tramped on a mine. Noticed the plunger just in time. Shouted a warning but was too late to save a Corporal leading another section on the other side of the road - too late to save him taking the full blast. Crossroads are usually mined when the enemy retreat.
30th October
Dug-in in a defensive position in the Venlo area. The Germans are on the other side of the Mass and sending over recce and fighting patrols to keep us on the alert.
31st October
Cold wet and miserable in our two man slit trenches. Great coats, ground sheets and one blanket, only means to keep warm. One soldier on guard the other trying to make tea in mess tins on Tommy cookers. Normally the water is nearly at boiling point when a near mortar miss or air burst fill the mess tin with dirt. Just start over again - passes the time.